WASHINGTON — In a major overhaul of how it polices itself, and in response to a spate of scandals that have tarnished Congress' image, the House voted Tuesday night to create a panel of outsiders to investigate ethics complaints against lawmakers.
The measure establishes an independent Office of Congressional Ethics in answer to criticism that lawmakers have been reluctant to vigorously investigate their own.
Its passage was a victory for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), whose party won control of Congress in 2006 in part by highlighting ethical breaches under the then-Republican majority.
Right up until the final roll call, Pelosi worked hard to overcome opposition from within her own caucus to set up the office, which is intended to make it harder for politics to influence the process. "Remove the doubt that is in the minds of the American people about the integrity of this body," she pleaded before the vote.
"The public does not trust us," added Rep. Michael E. Capuano (D-Mass.), who chaired an ethics task force that proposed the new office.
The measure was approved, 229-182, after a heated debate. Voting to create the office were 196 Democrats and 33 Republicans; opposed were 23 Democrats and 159 Republicans.
Tuesday's vote applies to the House. The Senate has rejected the idea as unnecessary.
Opponents complained that lawmakers were abdicating their responsibility and inviting partisan witch hunts.
"This is about the House, and the membership should decide whether any member has failed to meet its standards," said Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), delivering an impassioned speech opposing the new office. "Does anybody believe that complaints won't be in the media immediately, regardless of validity?"
"If you have a single ounce of self-preservation, you'll vote no," added Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.).
The measure's approval came as Congress considers cracking down on a practice that has figured prominently in Capitol Hill scandals: the special-interest items, known as earmarks, that are slipped into legislation by lawmakers, often at a lobbyist's behest.
The presidential candidates -- GOP Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois -- all favor a moratorium on earmarks this year. House Democratic leaders are weighing one, in a preemptive strike to deprive Republicans of a campaign issue.
